Key events
Another email from Peter Crosby sums it up:
Great team selection, nice formation, very encouraging. I can’t remember a better second half performance from Spurs since we thrashed Burnley under Ange. We are fighters.
We needed Tel and Odobert on, and Xavi Simons is a real gem. Still don’t think Bissouma should be in a Spurs shirt again…
Arsenal fans will be rejoicing. They’ve received a helping hand from their neighbours and fierce rivals, and now lead City by six points at the top of the Premier League.
It’s mad to see Spurs fans applaud their team off considering the obvious disconnect between players and supporters during a listless first half. Credit to Frank and the players for rousing themselves to produce that.
FT: Tottenham 2-2 Manchester City
The referee’s whistle brings a breathless second half to a close, with the spoils shared.
After the strange and subdued first half in which City forged ahead by two goals from Cherki and Semenyo – but could have had more – Tottenham produced a comeback that was as stirringly as it was unlikely. Their display in the second 45 minutes owed plenty to the rampaging centre-forward play of Dominic Solanke, who (we think) scored two goals.
Thomas Frank’s tenure will live on after this; there are finally signs of life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after all.
Into the final minute or so now. Spurs look slightly confused whether to play out the draw or go for broke…
90 mins + 6: Sarr does well to stick close to Semenyo and stick out a toe to concede a throw-in. It’s still anyone’s game but City look the more likely to nick it, especially now Solanke has hobbled off.
90 mins + 4: Replays are showing a couple of Rodri tackles that may have been more harshly punished on another day… either way City are taking him off, as Guardiola throws on another forward in Omar Marmoush.
Are we getting a winner here?
90 mins + 2: Simons has been everything Spurs fans hoped he would be in this second half, a true inside forward schemer, full of positive running and smart movement. He’s combined well with Gallagher, who has come to the fore as well, snapping up second balls in midfield.
Solanke won’t get a hat-trick either way. He’s coming off after getting a bit of a bash. Jun’ai Byfield, 17, comes on for his league debut.
And we will have NINE minutes of added time.
As we head towards added time it’s a good moment to mention that there’s some deliberation regarding the first Tottenham goal. Some are giving it to Solanke, some say it’s a Guéhi own goal.
88 mins: Foden comes on for Bernardo Silva.
87 mins: This would be a colossal two points dropped for City if they cannot find a winner. Advantage Arsenal? For sure.
Spurs have clearly put that particular thought to the back of their minds, as a desperate Gallagher header concedes a corner.
85 mins: Simons is at it again. A dart down the left and a low cross nearly creates a telling opening for Odobert. Guéhi just about snuffs it out.
84 mins: City have slowly wrestled control back in the past few minutes and Spurs are sinking deeper.
Reijnders heads wide again after an intelligent headed knockdown from Haaland.
82 mins: Oh my. There’s an ALMIGHTY scramble in the Spurs box. A ‘crap nineties football’ type scramble. Guéhi was close to directing it home, Haaland was in there, everyone was in there … in the end it’s a corner.
I’ve had yet another email telling me I don’t understand the meaning of Spursy. I can only apologise.
80 mins: This is the kind of Premier League football match that makes any kind of prediction or analysis look immediately stupid, so I’m now keeping my counsel until the final whistle.
The only thing that looks guaranteed is an exciting final 10 minutes plus stoppage time.
An email from Kári Tulinius
I’d be furious if I were a fan of the Sky Blues. City should’ve put this game to bed in the first half, but they didn’t press their advantage and now they’ve seen a two goal lead vanish. Pep out? He’s got infinite credit in the bank, but maybe it would be best for everyone if he went on a long vacation.
77 mins: Lovely feet from Archie Gray almost creates another Spurs chance but City get the bodies back in the end.
It’s end to end now. Semenyo and Haaland still look a threat .. and wow Reijnders directs a header just wide latching onto Bernardo’s cross.
76 mins: The best City can manage right now is a hurried clearance into touch from Rodri.
Simons has turned on the style in this second half. He’s pulling all the strings for Tottenham.
Someone took issue with my use of ‘Spursy’ before. I guess true Spursy behaviour would be for them to lose this 3-2 after all this effort …
It doesn’t look likely the way they’re playing right now. Simons arcs a brilliant shot at goal which has Donnarumma sprawling once more.
74 mins: Donnarumma sticks out a leg and makes a vital save from Odobert. Spurs have all the momentum now, all the energy. And the stadium has finally come alive!
73 mins: Do I delete all my first half updates because they are now rendered useless and silly? Or does it all still stand and should Tottenham have produced this kind of stirring display earlier on?
My head is spinning with confusion.
It’s an inventive and instinctive finish from Solanke, almost a scorpion kick to direct Gallagher’s cross into the top corner of the net. Donnarumma had no answer to it.
Goodness me, what are we witnessing here?
GOAL! Tottenham 2-2 Manchester City (Solanke, 71)
WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?!
Solanke has had a hand in another goal and, out of nothing, Spurs are level in this football match!
69 mins: It looks like Pep is going to respond with some tweaks of his own.
Cherki has taken a knock and will hobble off. He’s had a cracking game, but Tijjani Reijnders will take his spot. Nico Gonzalez replaces Aït-Nouri, which will mean O’Reilly shuffling across to left-back.
Two Tottenham changes: Bissouma and Kolo Muani and replaced by Tel and Odobert. Yeah, Spurs fans cannot have any complaints with Frank’s substitutions there.
67 mins: This is just totally different to almost everything we witnessed in the first half. Simons nearly picks out Solanke but overhits his cross, Donnarumma can catch.
66 mins: Kolo Muani needlessly bundles Cherki over when Spurs were in an attacking position. I don’t want to be mean and single players out … but he’s been so poor today.
64 mins: Tottenham’s best chance is definitely via those long searching balls up to Semenyo, but they still have a problem in midfield where City are getting acres of space.
Kolo Muani wants a penalty after going down in a duel with Nunes. He gets the next best thing instead: a corner.
62 mins: “Come on City,” is the cry from the travelling Sky Blues. Semenyo wins a corner for them off Palhinha.
60 mins: Tottenham would be wise to take a minute, ensure their shape remains solid and hold off this City riposte. They have a foothold in a game when their opponents really should be out of sight. They cannot waste this.
58 mins: Hold that thought. Spurs are over-committing and City will feel this is the perfect chance to pounce and make it 3-1. Gray makes a vital clearance under pressure.
Guardiola has been booked for protesting. He thinks the goal ought to have been a foul on Guéhi.
